The aim of this paper is to provide a summary of gambling activity and gambling risk levels during the COVID-19 period, using high quality, national-level longitudinal data. Results presented in the paper suggest that roughly 2.6 million fewer Australians gambled in the 12 months leading up to May 2020 than would have done if the April 2019 gambling prevalence levels continued into the COVID-19 pandemic. There was also a decline in at-risk gambling observed over the period.

The Committee have made over fifty recommendations which, they believe, will begin to address the harm that a gambling addiction can visit on individuals and their families and friends.

The authors state that they do not overlook that, for most people who gamble, this is a source of enjoyment that can foster social cohesion. They have been careful, in formulating their recommendations, to make sure that they impact on the undoubted benefits of gambling only to the extent necessary to make gambling safer for all.

Industry Statistics report on the size and shape of the gambling industry in Great Britain. These latest statistics cover the period between April 2019 – March 2020.

This report provides an overview of Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) by sector, along with the numbers of licensed operators and premises. It is based on data reported to the UKGC by the operators they licence and regulate.

The UK Gambling Commission has published further data showing how the easing of the COVID-19 lockdown impacted gambling behaviour in Great Britain.

The data reflects the period between March and September 2020, inclusive, and covers both online and in-person gambling. The latest data includes consumer research and data from Licensed Betting Operators (LBOs) found on Britain’s high streets.

This report outlines the UK Gambling Commission’s assessment of the key issues faced in making gambling fairer, safer and crime free. They have used their insight, research and casework to assess the risks and challenges in gambling through four different lenses – the Person, the Place, the Products and the Provider. 

This assessment also sets out the UKGC's priority actions to enable them to address these issues. Included in this document is an overview of progress that has been made since April 2019.

This assessment has been prepared amid the unprecedented disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The impacts of the pandemic now and moving forward are still being assessed and will shape the gambling industry and its regulation in the years to come.

The authors reviewed evidence about how staff training programs in responsible gambling affect both staff and players. 

The authors provide suggestions for researchers, gambling operators, and policy makers regarding training program content and evaluation. 

This study compared gamblers’ perceived chances of winning and levels of warning label understanding under equivalent return-to-player and house-edge formats.

The authors concluded that house-edge warning labels on electronic gambling machines and on-line casino games (which explain what a gambler might expect to lose) could help gamblers pay greater attention to product risk, and be better understood than equivalent return-to-player labels.

A total of 9,008 individuals were treated within gambling services (who report to Data Reporting Framework) in Great Britain during 2019/20.

PGSI scores indicated that the majority of clients (94%) were problem gamblers (PGSI 8+) at the point of assessment for treatment. The most common location for gambling was online (69% of clients). Bookmakers were the next most common (38% of gamblers).

Among gamblers, PGSI scores improved by an average (median) of 12 points between earliest and last appointment in treatment.

GamCare’s report monitors how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted people experiencing gambling harms and their adjustments in securing support and treatment.

The Gambling Commission has published further data showing how the Covid-19 period has impacted gambling behaviour in Great Britain. 

The data reflects the period between March and August. It covers both online and in-person gambling, from Licensed Betting Operators (LBOs) found on Britain’s high streets and also includes consumer research.